At the annual National Prayer Breakfast held in Washington, D.C. this morning, the surprise guest speaker was no stranger to the event. Best-selling author Dr. Ben Carson delivered this year's keynote address, for a second time in his career.

What is seen to be a privileged opportunity, the National Prayer Breakfast's keynote speaker delivers a message to inspire the event's attendees and to celebrate the importance of prayer and its role in the U.S. government. Carson, a world-class brain surgeon and one of Zondervan's best-selling authors commented, "I wanted to emphasize the roles faith, values and principles have played in the success of our nation."

Carson's most recent title with Zondervan, America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great, released in February 2012. In America the Beautiful Carson addresses the reality that the U.S. must take on the tough issues that it faces today. With an audience of more than 3,000 guests from every political arena in the world Carson expressed his belief that the nation's best days are still ahead.

"E pluribus unum means 'out of many one,'" said Carson. "At this critical time in our nation's history, we must remember that 'a house divided against itself cannot stand'. If we learn from the past, we can stand tall in the future."

America the Beautiful calls citizens to use their "God-given talents to improve our lives, our communities, our nation and our world," said Carson. "And I pray that God used my opportunity to reach our entire government for His glory."

In 1997, under the administration of President Bill Clinton, Carson gave his first keynote address at the National Prayer Breakfast. "I am humbled to be given a second opportunity to speak at such an honorary event," commented Carson.